Access to child health services in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: As the world transits from the era of millennium development goals to that of sustainable development goals, an examination of the access to primary health care services in the previous era is germane to adequate planning and delivery of effective service in the emerging era. The objective of this study was determine factors associated with the use of primary health care (PHC) facilities for the health needs of children in Anambra State, NigeriaMethods: A cross sectional survey of 600 randomly selected mothers (15-49 years) was conducted in Orumba North local government area of Anambra State. An interviewer-based questionnaire, designed to provide information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents as well as their child rearing experiences was used. The questionnaire also provided data on the women’s use of immunization services. The perceptions on government health services were also examined to understand how they influence compliance.Results: More of non-demographic attributes like the mothers’ perceptions and past experiences with the health services influenced utilization more than the demographic attributes. Satisfactory experiences with health service influenced utilization (χ2=168.478; p<0.001).  Those with good perception (95.4%) used the PHC facilities more (χ2=198.032; p<0.001).Conclusion: Irrespective of the socio-demographic backgrounds of the mothers, they all have feelings and react to situations they encounter daily. There is need to improve the experiences mothers get from encounter with the PHC facilities so as to improve on the perception and increase use of the facilities

Should Internal Displacement Mean Deprivation of Healthcare for Women and Children in Nigeria?

Nigeria accounts for a high percentage of globally displaced persons, most of whom are women and children. Health conditions of women and children in camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been topical, and so much of concern is on their access to quality healthcare services in the camps. The study adopts Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in capturing responses of 12 officials from the Kuje and Fariya IDP Camps in Abuja and Maiduguri respectively. It also adopted the use of thematic analysis in analyzing the data. Findings showed that healthcare facilities exist in these camps, despite occurrences indicating poor health conditions of the IDPs. The study concluded that health inequities persist in both camps, and that the challenges facing the available health facilities should be adequately addressed. Among the challenges were corruption, poor staffing, poor environmental conditions, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and absence of adequate and well-trained social service professionals

Perception and attitudes towards preventives of malaria infection during pregnancy in Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: The objective of this study is to explore and document perceptions and attitude associated with uptake of interventions to prevent malaria in pregnancy infection during pregnancy in Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in three local government areas in Enugu State to identify the people\u2019s perceptions and attitudes towards sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets and uptake of recommended doses of intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy. In-depth interview guides were employed to collect data from health workers and mothers who delivered within 6 months preceding the study, while focus group discussion guides were employed in collecting data from grandmothers and fathers of children born within 6 months preceding the study. Results: The people expressed fairly good knowledge of malaria, having lived in the malaria-endemic communities. However, some were ignorant on what should be done to prevent malaria in pregnancy. Those who were aware of the use of insecticide-treated bednets and intermittent presumptive treatment during pregnancy however lamented the attitude of the health workers, who make access to these interventions difficult. Conclusions: Efforts to prevent malaria in pregnancy should focus on providing health education to pregnant women and their partners, who reinforce what the women are told during antenatal care. The attitude of health workers towards patients, who need these interventions, should be targeted for change

Awareness, knowledge, risk perception and uptake of maternal vaccination in rural communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Introduction: Knowledge and uptake of maternal vaccination has been reported to be low in low- and middle-income countries. Objectives: To determine the knowledge, uptake and determinants of uptake of maternal vaccination among women of childbearing age. Methods: A cross sectional study was done among 607 women of childbearing age selected from rural communities in Ebonyi State using multi-staged sampling technique. A pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire was used. The proportion of maternal vaccination uptake and predictors of uptake was determined at 5% level of significant using multiple logistic regression model. Results: Most of the respondents (39.9%) were in the 15-24 years age group. Only 1.3% and 41.5% were knowledgeable and had received any form of maternal vaccines respectively. The main reasons adduced for non-receipt of the vaccine was lack of information (65.8%) and not being pregnant (23.5%). Pregnancy was the predictor for uptake of maternal vaccine among the study population. Conclusions: There was low level of knowledge and uptake of maternal vaccine among rural women and a myth that the vaccine is only given when pregnant. This calls for increase targeted enlightenment of rural women on maternal vaccine in order to improve uptake. Keywords: Maternal vaccination; rural communities; Nigeria

Controversies in preparing for end-of-life in Nsukka town of Nigeria and suggestions for Nigerian based social work practice

Death is regarded as a natural phenomenon of life, but its consequences for the bereaved are often times very bitter. One way to circumvent this bitter experience is through making plans before dying. However, not everyone seems to appreciate this, which has generated lots of controversies. Thus, end-of-life planning attitude among adult residents in one of Nigeria’s Igbo area was examined using cross-sectional survey. Data was collected from 587 adults and also analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative tools. Age, level of education, marital status and sex were shown to have statistically significant relationships with attitude toward end-of-life planning, while cultural beliefs were discovered to also exercise overbearing influence. The study further discovered some cultural practices that deter people from planning for end-of-life and therefore advocates for social protection and reorientation which should principally involve social workers. Suggestions were made for introduction of end-of-life planning education in the curriculum of institutions of secondary and tertiary learning in Nigeria, as a measure to help reform attitudes of persons toward preparing for end-of-life in future.

Adopting an ecological health model to harmful alcohol use in Nigeria’s Niger Delta

Substance abuse has ravaged potentials and keeps clamping down on the stability of societies. It is increasingly becoming a social problem that demands sustainable remedies, particularly in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. This paper establishes a case for the utilisation of an ecological health model in dealing with harmful alcohol use in the region. What motivates the adoption of such a model is the fact that harmful alcohol use largely stems from nurture and can be remedied through same nurture. This paper adopted a case study research design using participant observation for data gathering, while using thematic analysis in organising and interpreting data

Assessment of barriers to HIV Screening among adolescents in Girls Secondary School, Abayi, Aba.

BACKGROUND: According to Adolescents Human Immune Deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) screening policy in Nigeria, all adolescents attending health facilities—including inpatient and outpatient clinics such as general outpatient, Sexually Transmitted Infection, family planning, tuberculosis, and surgical outpatient should be screened on each visit. Early detection of the virus enables early initiation of treatment and this is known to improve the outcome of treatment and quality of life. Adolescents are at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and as such should embrace HIV screening. Despite high HIV incidence rate, and prevalence of AIDS-associated mortality among adolescents, screening uptake among this age group has remained low. This low HIVscreening uptake suggests the presence of barriers limiting testing among this age group. This study seeks to assess the barriers to HIV screening among adolescents.OBJECTIVE: To assess the barriers to HIV screening among adolescents in Girls’ Secondary School Abayi, Aba.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive-cross sectional study was conducted among students of Girls’ Secondary School Abayi. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from adolescents within the ages of 10-19 years. The data was then presented using tables and figures.RESULTS: In this study, only 6.7% of the adolescents have done HIV counseling and testing at least once. The following were identified as barriers to HIV screening; not knowing where the tests were done [18.6%,] cannot tell their parents to take them to a screening center [18.3%], screening center was far from home [6.2%], could not afford the transportation fee [4.2%], had no reason [52.7%]. The following were the reasons why they would not do HIV screeningif an opportunity was provided; fear of result outcome [23.5%], shame of being judged by the screening provider [11.1%], fear of being discriminated if result turned out positive [14.4%], anxiety of awaiting result [10.65%], had no reason [40.3%].CONCLUSION: Fear of a positive result, stigmatization, and poor awareness were the major barriers to HIV screening among adolescents. Until stigmatization is reduced to the barest minimum by providing more knowledge and a supportive environment where learners can feel they have adequate support, creating more awareness on HIV screening will not be enough to increase HIV counseling and testing uptake

Controlling Malaria Spread with Insecticide-treated Nets:Reactions Trailing Usage and Mortality Consequences in Anambra State, Nigeria

Reports reveal that under-5 mortality rates in Nigeria are very high, with malaria being the leading contributor to this. Yet, insecticide treated net (ITN) seems poorly used as a preventive measure. This study investigates the relationship between malaria disease, compliance with using ITNs and under-5 mortality rate in Anambra State, Nigeria. Focus group discussions involving 24 health workers and 48 community dwellers were used in sourcing data. Data analysis was done on recognised themes using NVivo9 software. Theory of planned behaviour guided the study, as it seeks to explain the connection between culturally induced norms and health-seeking behaviours. The study revealed that malaria disease contributes heavily to under-5 mortality in the study area. However, its prevention is marred by certain cultural perceptions towards the disease and preventive measures, as well as by health system inefficiencies. It suggests that more medical and helping professionals, especially social workers, should engage in help improving the situation.</p

Controlling Malaria Spread with Insecticide-treated Nets:Reactions Trailing Usage and Mortality Consequences in Anambra State, Nigeria

Reports reveal that under-5 mortality rates in Nigeria are very high, with malaria being the leading contributor to this. Yet, insecticide treated net (ITN) seems poorly used as a preventive measure. This study investigates the relationship between malaria disease, compliance with using ITNs and under-5 mortality rate in Anambra State, Nigeria. Focus group discussions involving 24 health workers and 48 community dwellers were used in sourcing data. Data analysis was done on recognised themes using NVivo9 software. Theory of planned behaviour guided the study, as it seeks to explain the connection between culturally induced norms and health-seeking behaviours. The study revealed that malaria disease contributes heavily to under-5 mortality in the study area. However, its prevention is marred by certain cultural perceptions towards the disease and preventive measures, as well as by health system inefficiencies. It suggests that more medical and helping professionals, especially social workers, should engage in help improving the situation.</p